Correlation Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS); A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: In the context of in vitro fertilization treatment ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can lead to a serious illness. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood, but is associated with several cytokines, enzymes and growth factors. VEGF is considered among others to be a significant factor. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there are correlations between VEGF serum concentrations and clinical and biochemical parameters of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Thus, VEGF could be used as a clinical parameter of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Methods: Three patient groups were formed in which VEGF measurements were performed. In the first group, patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after stimulation treatment and hospitalization were examined. In the second group, patients with stimulation for in vitro fertilization but without OHSS were considered and in the third group, patients without stimulation treatment were recorded. The groups were comparatively statistically evaluated. Results: There was a clear association between the VEGF scores and duration of hospitalization in the diseased patients. The VEGF determinations did not differentiate between stimulated patients with and without ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, there was a significant difference between stimulated and unstimulated patients. Conclusion: The determination of VEGF seems to be of limited use as a clinically useful parameter for the assessment and prognosis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Methodological weakness of the retrospective study design should be a reason for caution in interpreting the results.